What's happened
Congo and Rwanda are advancing towards a peace agreement amid escalating conflict in eastern Congo, where M23 rebels have seized key cities. U.S. involvement is seen as crucial for stabilizing the region and facilitating investment. The International Committee of the Red Cross is facilitating the transfer of Congolese soldiers back to Kinshasa.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights
- U.S. Involvement: The U.S. is positioning itself as a mediator, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasizing that a durable peace will attract investment, aligning with President Trump's prosperity agenda.
- Humanitarian Crisis: The ongoing conflict has displaced over 7 million people, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution. The involvement of the International Committee of the Red Cross in facilitating troop transfers underscores the humanitarian dimension of the crisis.
- Regional Stability: The peace talks are critical not only for Congo and Rwanda but for the broader Great Lakes region, which has been plagued by instability for decades. The potential for a peace agreement could reshape the geopolitical landscape, impacting U.S. interests in mineral resources.
- Skepticism: Analysts caution that U.S. involvement could exacerbate existing issues, including militia violence and human rights abuses, if not managed carefully. The situation remains volatile, with M23 rebels still controlling significant territory.
What the papers say
According to AP News, Massad Boulos, a senior adviser to President Trump, welcomed a draft peace proposal from Congo and Rwanda, calling it an important step. However, details remain unclear, particularly regarding U.S. access to critical minerals. The Independent reported that peacekeeping troops from South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania are withdrawing from Congo, following the M23's offensive. This withdrawal reflects the precarious situation on the ground, where M23 controls Goma and Bukavu, supported by Rwandan troops. The International Committee of the Red Cross is facilitating the transfer of Congolese soldiers back to Kinshasa, a move welcomed by Congolese authorities. The situation is further complicated by the historical context of the conflict, rooted in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide and ongoing ethnic tensions.
How we got here
The conflict in eastern Congo has intensified since January 2025, when M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, captured Goma. This has led to significant casualties and a humanitarian crisis, with millions displaced. Recent talks mediated by the U.S. aim to establish a lasting peace.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of U.S. involvement?
- How has the humanitarian crisis evolved?
- What is the historical context of the conflict?
More on these topics
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The International Committee of the Red Cross is a humanitarian institution based in Geneva, Switzerland, and a three-time Nobel Prize Laureate.
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Rwanda, formerly Ruanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley where the African Great Lakes region and East Africa converge. One of the smallest countries on the African mainland, its capital city is Kigali.
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Goma is a city in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is the capital and largest city of the North Kivu Province; it is located on the northern shore of Lake Kivu and shares borders with the Bukumu Chiefdom to the north, Rwanda to the east..
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The M23 rebellion was an armed conflict in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, that occurred between the March 23 Movement and government forces between 4 April 2012 and 7 November 2013.
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Kinshasa (; French: [kinʃasa]; Lingala: Kinsásá), formerly named Léopoldville from 1881–1966 (Dutch: Leopoldstad), is the capital and largest city of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Kinshasa is one of the world's fastest-growing megacities, wi
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South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa, is the southernmost country in Africa. With over 59 million people, it is the world's 24th-most populous nation and covers an area of 1,221,037 square kilometres.
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Tanzania, officially the United Republic of Tanzania, is a country in East Africa within the African Great Lakes region. It borders Uganda to the north; Kenya to the northeast; Comoro Islands and the Indian Ocean to the east; Mozambique and Malawi to the
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The Democratic Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Kinshasa, Zaire, DR Congo, DRC, the DROC, or simply the Congo, is a country located in Central Africa. It was formerly called Zaire.
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Malawi, officially the Republic of Malawi, is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa that was formerly known as Nyasaland.
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Congo or The Congo may refer to:
Congo River, in central Africa
Congo Basin, the sedimentary basin of the river
Democratic Republic of the Congo, the larger country to the southeast, sometimes referred to as "Congo-Kinshasa"
Republic of the Congo, the...